'Deadliest Catch' crew pay tribute to Tennison

The crewmates of Deadliest Catch cast member Justin Tennison have paid their respects following the fisherman's death this week.

A statement posted on the Time Bandit crew's official website announced that Tennison, who was discovered in an Alaskan hotel room, had "died peacefully in his sleep" on February 21.

"Justin fished commercially for many years, living in Alaska for 28 years," said the statement. "He worked on the Time Bandit, alongside his second cousin, Eddie Uwekoolani Jr, serving as Engineer during the tendering seasons, and joined the Time Bandit crew as a deckhand fishing the Red King 2010 and Opilio 2011 seasons."

The post went on to describe 34-year-old Tennison, who is survived by family including a son and daughter, as "tough as a bull" and "an all-around good hand".

"The Captains and Crew appreciated his hard work and many contributions this past year," the statement continued. "We will miss him terribly and wish his family all the best during this most difficult time."

The Discovery Channel also issued a statement, saying that it was "saddened" by Tennison's death and sending sympathies to his family and crew.